Jane Louise Keener Hartranft

Jane Louise Keener Hartranft, of West Grove, passed away peacefully at the Jenner’s Pond Retirement Community on Nov. 25. She was 95.

Born on July 17, 1926 in Lancaster, Pa., she was the daughter of Christian and Rosamond (Ruoss) Keener. Jane was the younger sister of Dale Keener and the elder sister to Ann (Keener) Eby, both of whom predeceased Jane.  

Jane grew up in the small village of Leacock, Pa. during the 1930s and was a teenager during the start of World War II. She graduated from Upper Leacock High School on D-Day (June 6, 1944). Growing up, Jane helped her father deliver bread each day from the local bakery, and during the war helped coordinate the rationing of rubber tires, gasoline, and clothing to support the war effort.

Jane was the first in her family to attend and graduate from college. She received a bachelor’s degree from Millersville State Teachers College (now Millersville University) in 1948. She and several of her college classmates celebrated their graduation by taking their hard-earned savings to travel by train throughout the United States and northern Mexico to see for the first time New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles, Arizona, Texas, and Tijuana before beginning her nine-year career teaching first grade at various schools throughout Lancaster, Chester, and Delaware Counties in Pennsylvania.

On July 23, 1955 Jane married Jacob William (Bill) Hartranft at Heller’s Church in Leacock. Bill grew up in Leola, Pa., less than a mile away from Jane and her family who lived on Main Street. Bill left after his first year of college at Drexel Institute of Technology (now Drexel University) in Philadelphia to serve as a corporal and medic in World War II in the Pacific and participated in most of the major Island Invasion campaigns. After the war, he completed college at Drexel, and, after they were married, Jane and Bill lived in Drexel Hill, Pa. Jane taught first grade at Springfield Elementary School until she gave birth to her only child, Peter, in 1956.
The Hartranft family moved to Allentown, Pa. in 1957 where, in addition to raising Peter, Jane and Bill were instrumental in the founding of the new Hope United Church of Christ where Jane was a Sunday School teacher for more than 20 years. Jane also founded and supported the Hamilton Park Little League and was also an active volunteer in many Allentown charitable organizations including the YWCA and the Lehigh Valley Hospital, where she worked in the gift shop for many years. Bill passed away in 1983 at the age of 59.

Jane moved to Jenner’s Pond Retirement Community in West Grove in 2014. She was a longtime fan of baseball, attending many Little League games throughout her life and watching or listening to almost every game played by the Philadelphia Phillies.
Jane is survived by her son Peter and his wife Denise Sherman Hartranft of Newark, Del., and grandson Christian Sherman Hartranft of Washington, D.C. Jane has nine surviving nieces and four surviving nephews.
On behalf of Jane, the family wishes to express gratitude to all those caregivers who helped Jane navigate the end of her life’s journey. The legacy of Jane Keener Hartranft rests with her love and devotion to the importance of education, health, and baseball in people’s lives.

Her immediate family will gather in private at her final place of rest next to her husband Bill at Heller’s Church Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Jane's name to: Lehigh Valley Health Network (Office of Philanthropy, 2100 Mack Blvd, P.O. Box 1883, Allentown, PA 18105-1883) or Newark Center for Creative Learning (Office of Development, 401 Phillips Ave, Newark, DE 19711).

Arrangements are being handled by the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc. in Oxford. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.

Page Elliott

Page Elliott, 28, of Creedmoor, NC, died unexpectedly on Nov. 24 from injuries sustained in a fall at home. Her loss was completely unexpected and the family is shocked and deeply saddened.
Page Elizabeth Krauss was born on Feb. 17, 1993 to Mark and Carolyn Steele Krauss in Newark, Del., and they brought her home to Nottingham. Page attended Oxford Area High School and Technical College High School and was passionate about cooking. She graduated in 2011.
Page was an exciting, crazy and fun loving young woman. Page struggled with alcoholism and substance abuse for the last 10 years, but she was always looking forward to a brighter future until she unexpectedly lost her longtime boyfriend in June 2021, and seems to never have recovered from this pain.
Page is survived by her parents, Mark and Leah Krauss of Bunkie, LA and Carolyn and Mark Pulliam of Nottingham; her brother, USMC CPL Michael Krauss of Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii; her two daughters, Eliza Marie Elliott and Emily Nicole Hare of Nottingham; her paternal grandmother, Patsy Krauss of Oxford; and her maternal grandmother, Barbara Steele of Oxford.

Funeral services were held on Dec. 6 at the Oxford Church of the Nazarene in Oxford.

Interment will be in Oxford Cemetery.

Arrangements are being handled by the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc. in Oxford. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.

Mike Alft

Every person has a history. E. C. (Mike) Alft’s history began on July 13, 1925, in Chicago, Illinois, and ended 96 years later on Nov. 22 in West Grove.  Raised for the most part in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Mike was a stateside U.S. Army veteran.  Following his marriage to Frances Virginia Clark, a college classmate, on Aug. 12, 1950, the couple came to live in Elgin, Illinois for 65 years.

A Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Grinnell College, he earned a master’s degree at the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, Syracuse University, and was a John Hay Fellow at Yale University. He taught social studies at Dundee Community High School from 1950 to 1952 and was a teacher of economics and government at Elgin High School from 1953 to 1994. He was a part-time instructor in political science at Elgin Community College for twenty years, and was a lecturer for the Elgin Leadership Academy from 1991 to 2012.

Mike served as a member of the Elgin City Council, 1963 to 1967, and Mayor of Elgin, from 1967 to 1971, and was elected in 1995 and 2001 for two six-year terms to the board of trustees of the Gail Borden Public Library District.  As mayor, Mike spearheaded an effort to make Vientiane in Laos a sister city to Elgin.

He was one of several founding members of the Elgin Area Historical Society in 1961, and the Elgin Sports Hall of Fame Foundation in 1980. Mike participated in establishing the Elgin Historic District in 1981. He was a member of the Gifford Park Association, and during his retirement was one of the Golden K Kiwanis Club volunteers.

An avid cyclist, he rode a hundred miles on his 65th birthday.  Mike was a fixture in the library for more than fifty years.  A constant reader, he kept a record of more than 3,547 books he read – mainly in history, economics, government, and serious literature – from the age of fifteen.  He was fond of reading, traveling with Fran (visiting more than a dozen places named Elgin in the U.S. and Canada), reading, touring museums and national parks, and reading.

Mike was the author of seventeen local histories – six hard cover books and eleven soft cover booklets – including Elgin: An American History (1984), Elgin: A Pictorial History (1991), Elgin: Days Gone By (1992) and An Elgin Almanac (2004) as well as more than 1,200 articles in the Courier-News beginning with a 1961 series on Elgin’s participation in the Civil War and continuing with the “Days Gone By” columns that ran from 1981 to 2014. Over the years he gave several hundred presentations about his adopted city to service clubs, neighborhood associations, and church and school groups.  He participated in Gifford Park Association house walks and Historical Society cemetery walks, conducted bus tours, and appeared on local radio (“Remembering Elgin”).

In 2007, Mike was named the Elgin Image Awards’ Lifetime Achievement winner. He was named an Illinois Library Association Luminary in 2010. Alft Lane, just north of Advocate Sherman Hospital, was named in Mike’s honor.

Mike was preceded in death by Fran, his devoted wife and best friend for 65 years. Survivors include four children, B Jefferson Bolender of Phoenix, AZ, John Lincoln (Rustie) of Normal, IL, Michael Wilson (Mary Teresa) of New London Township, and Susan Q Adams Stanchak (Peter) of Portage, MI; thirteen grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren. During their marriage they raised eight cats.

A celebration of Mike’s life will be announced at a later date and held in Elgin, Illinois with assistance of the Elgin Area Historical Society and Museum, and the Gail Borden Public Library.  

Burial services will be private. 

Donations may be made to the Gail Borden Public Library District Foundation in memory of Mr. Alft at www.gailborden.info/foundation. Donors can select the yellow “Donate” tab and type IMO Mike Alft in the memo section or mailed to: Gail Borden Foundation Attn:  Sara Johnson 270 N. Grove Ave Elgin, IL 60120 or donations are welcomed to Elgin Area Historical Society online.

Arrangements in Pennsylvania are being handled by Grieco Funeral Home & Crematory Inc. (484-734-8100) www.griecofunerals.com.

Theresia Uhl

Theresia Uhl passed away on Nov. 27 at the age of 94.  

She is preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, Thomas Robert, who passed away in May of 2017, and her daughter, Roberta, who passed away in December 2004. 

Theresia was born in Langenhaslach, Germany, and met her future husband while he served in the U.S. Army Military Police in Munich during the post-war years.  After they married in Germany, she moved to America and became a United States citizen in 1964.

Theresia was well known for her exemplary culinary, baking and gardening skills.  The current term "farm to table" defined the means in which she would prepare her delicacies for her family and all who visited her home.

Theresia was an active member of the St John Vianney church choir for nearly 20 years. The choir's annual performance at midnight mass on Christmas Eve became so popular that it was often standing-room-only.

Theresia was and will always be remembered for her kind and loving nature, her great sense of humor and the love she had for her family.  She is survived by her children, Helene Jersets (Jeff), Doreen Uhl-Mancill (Rob), Thomas, Jr. (Maryanne) and her grandchildren, Bobby and Jack, whom she adored.

Services were held on Dec. 3 at Foulk Funeral Home in West Grove. 

Her interment followed at St. Patrick Cemetery in Kennett Square.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer Organization  (alz.org).  Arrangements are being handled by the Foulk Funeral Home of West Grove. Please visit the online memorial by going to www.kuzoandfoulkfh.com.

Kenneth Lee Hurley

Kenneth Lee Hurley passed away peacefully at home in Nottingham on Dec. 2 while surrounded by his loving granddaughters, Shannon and Nicole Hurley. He was 84.

He is preceded in death by his beautiful and God-fearing wife, Essie Hurley.

He was a hardworking and dedicated self-employed roofer.

Kenneth was an avid musician who played many instruments and most loved the banjo and guitar. He and his brothers and late wife played in a family band Midnight Special.

He was a man of God who loved the Lord and cherished every moment with his family. He was his happiest when singing with his brothers and playing music.

He is survived by one daughter, Yvette Ham (Donald) of Nottingham; one son, Kevin Hurley of Avondale; eighteen grandchildren; twenty-five great-grandchildren; two brothers, Tommy Dotson and Donnie Dotson both of Newark, Del; and one sister, Sara Gillman of VA.

He was preceded in death by one son, Kenneth Alan Hurley and one daughter, Donna Waldrup.   

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 9 at the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc., 86 Pine St., Oxford, where friends and family may visit from 10 to 11 a.m.

Interment will be in Union Hill Cemetery in Kennett Square.

Arrangements are being handled by the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc. in Oxford. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.

Charles Robert Keys

Charles (Bill) Robert Keys, a resident of Nottingham, went home to be with the Lord on Dec. 1. He was 85.

He was the husband of the late Katherine Margaret Patrick Keys, with whom he shared 50 years of marriage. 

Bill was born in Oxford to William and Lona Miller Keys. 

He is survived by one sister and has been preceded in death by 10 other brothers and sisters. 

Bill has three daughters, Barbara Keys-Dunn from Fair Hill, Md., Charlotte Ann Keys from Fair Hill, Md., and Brenda Keys from Nottingham. He has seven grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. 

Bill was a truck driver for most of his life and later a security guard at Herr Foods until retiring in 2017. Bill was a hard worker and enjoyed family, woodworking, fishing and old cars. His family and friends say he gave the best hugs and everyone enjoyed his roses and could always count on him to have candy in his pocket to share. 

Family and friends may visit at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 8 at the Nottingham Missionary Baptist Church. A celebration of Bill’s life will begin at 11 a.m. with interment to follow in the adjoining church cemetery.

Arrangements are being handled by the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc. Oxford. 

Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.

Edward F. Haggerty, Sr.

Edward F. Haggerty, Sr., of New London, Pa., passed away at the age of 79 on Dec. 1 at Christiana Hospital. 

Born in 1942 in Boston, Mass., Edward was the son of the late Daniel James Haggerty and the late G. Florence Fisher Haggerty. 

Edward was a veteran of the Vietnam War and proudly served our country for over 20 years as a member of the U.S. Navy. Following his retirement from the Navy, Edward worked various jobs in the information technology industry.

Edward shared 53 years of marriage with his late wife, Lydia F. Haggerty. They had three children, his daughter, Kimberly Lynn Hawkins (Brian); his son, Edward F. Haggerty Jr. (deceased); and his youngest son, Russell Daniel Haggerty (Meghan). Edward is also survived by his brother, Robert Haggerty of Massachusetts; and his sister, Patricia Osterloh of Florida; four grandchildren; and two great grandchildren.

Edward was an avid HAM radio operator and he found great enjoyment in this hobby.

He was a wonderful father, brother, grandfather, and great grandfather. Edward was well liked and many considered him a friend. Though he was great in stature, Edward had a warm heart and was a gentle giant who will be missed by all who knew him.

Services for Edward will take place at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to your local Veterans of Foreign Wars post.

Arrangements are being handled by Foulk Funeral Home of West Grove.

Lola Lois Caldwell

Lola Lois (Mankin) Caldwell, age 90, of West Grove, passed away on Nov. 30 at Jenner’s Pond Retirement Community in West Grove.

She was born at home on Feb. 20, 1931, in Holdenville, OK to the late Lexie Lois Mankin and John Fredrick Mankin.  

She will be lovingly remembered by her husband of 71 years, Edward Andrew Caldwell, daughter Kathryn Marie Schumacher (Greg) and daughter Gaila Ciccarone (Carlo). Grandma Lola (also known as MomMom) was cherished by her five grandchildren, Eric Schumacher (Yvette), Sara Field (Damon), Giancarlo Ciccarone (Lauren), Michael Ciccarone (Christine), Melina Van Brunt (Chad) and her 10 great-grandchildren, Ella Field,  Ethan Schumacher, Quinn Field, Ezra Schumacher, Levi Van Brunt, Lincoln Field, Matteo Ciccarone, Samuel Van Brunt, Giuliana Ciccarone and Callie Ciccarone.

Lola attended Fremont High School in Sunnyvale, California and was proud to have graduated with the class of 1949.  She attended high school with her beloved cousin June and her brother Chuck and she always had happy memories of her days there and enjoyed reading the Fremont Alumni Association newsletters. 

Lola met her husband-to-be in Sunnyvale, California.  On May 20, 1950, Lola and Edward were married in a double wedding ceremony along with two of their greatest friends, in Reno, Carson City, Nevada.  

After their daughters were born in California, the family began moving with Edward’s work assignments.  This took them to Grandview, Washington and then to the Chicago area, to Yakima, Washington where Lola worked at Joseph’s Fruit Packing plant and then to Yorktown Heights, NY where Lola was secretary to the director of programs, Taconic Correctional Facility, Bedford, NY.  Upon retirement, the couple settled in Brevard, NC and then relocated to West Grove to be closer to children.  

Lola was a longtime member of a non-academic sorority known as Beta Sigma Phi, which has a motto is “Life, Learning and Friendship.”  Lola loved to recall stories of her childhood and liked to study history, particularly the history of the areas where her family settled.  As a hobby, she enjoyed many hours tracing her family history and lineage – with the ultimate and successful goal of becoming a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR).

Lola loved to cook and collect recipes.  She was an avid learner with an inquisitive mind.  Lola’s joy came from watching her family grow and she posted and kept almost every picture received and loved to talk about what each member was working on or doing.

The family would like to acknowledge the care and comfort provided by the staff of Friends Home-Linden Hall in Kennett Square, Jenner’s Pond-Preston Skilled Nursing in West Grove, and Willow Tree Hospice in Kennett Square.  

Family and friends are asked to hold Lola in their hearts and remember the happy times spent together.  She will be dearly missed by so many.

Services and interment will be held privately. In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to  the Kennett Area Senior Center (online at https://kennettseniorcenter.org/donate.php)  or Rocky Mount State Historic Site, the living history museum and the first capital of the Southwest Territory that became Tennessee.  It was the home of Lola's ancestors from the Cobb family and her Patriot for verification to the NSDAR (https://rockymountmuseum.com).

Arrangements are being handled by Matthew J. Grieco of Grieco Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc. (484-734-8100).

Condolences may be shared at www.griecofunerals.com.